Warren Davis Merrell, Sr. was born on August 22, 1921 in Polk County. He went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2017 at the age of 95.

W.D. grew up in Caney Creek, a 14 house community accessible by a swinging bridge built by the East Tennessee Power Company. It was on the community hotel tennis court that he learned to play tennis. He loved sharing stories of his life in Caney Creek. He graduated from Polk County High School and attended Lincoln Memorial University where he played collegiate tennis.

During WWII he worked at Lockheed in Marietta, Georgia where he tested bombers and fighter planes used during the war. Later he opened Merrell Construction Company building numerous churches, houses, condominiums and commercial buildings throughout Tennessee and Florida. He was a longtime member of North Etowah Baptist Church which he built in 1963.

W.D. is survived by his loving wife of 76 years Azalea Long. He is also survived by his son Doug Merrell of St. Petersburg, Florida; daughter-in-law Mrs. Warren Merrell, Jr. of Tallahassee, Florida; devoted granddaughters Deanna , Denise, Deborah and Darla; grandsons Stuart and Brian; and great-grandchildren McLin, Anslee, Parker, Ian, Owen and Emma along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his son Warren Davis Merrell, Jr. He was the last surviving child of six of the late Dovie and Davis Greenberry Merrell, Sr.

A graveside service is planned for Monday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m. at Green Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the North Etowah Baptist Church Building Fund, 231 Pennsylvania Ave., Etowah, TN 37331.